SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK
MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005
by Dick Powell
Today was the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Sid Watters, Tom Walsh, Lonesome Glory and Nick Zito are racing’s latest
honorees. The Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavillon, where the induction ceremony was
held, was never more packed and most came for Zito’s speech.
Zito was warm, gracious and appreciative of the opportunities presented to
him. He made a special point to thank by name numerous people who he worked for
or worked for him. I would have bet Zito was 1-9 to break down emotionally at
some point during the speech but he held on as strong as Commentator (Distorted
Humotr) last Saturday in the Whitney H. (G1).
Later in the day, the National Racing Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) was run. Why graded stakes at
nine furlongs like the Diana (G1), Hall of Fame and Bernard Baruch (G2)
are run on the inner turf course instead of the Mellon course I’ll never
understand. And had this race been run on the Mellon, it might have had a
different result.
A wide-open affair, the betting public finally settled on Reel Legend (Catrail)
as the lukewarm 22-10 favorite. Canadian shipper T. D. VANCE (Rahy) was
dismissed at 16-1 despite being trained by Graham Motion and winning a stakes
race at Woodbine last out.
Breaking from post 5, Todd Kabel sent T. D. Vance up after High Limit
(Maria’s Mon) through a half in 47.35. Substitute rider Ramon Dominguez took
Silver Whistle (Alphabet Soup) back after the break and saved ground on the
inside. High Limit opened up a clear lead around the far turn but began to wilt
from the pressure from T. D. Vance turning for home.
Kabel suddenly had a clear lead with a furlong to go and awaited the late
challenges. The only one coming was Silver Whistle, who was in high gear
after Dominguez got him clear. He was steadied in traffic on the far turn but with giant strides, Silver Whistle began to make up a five-length deficit. His
late rally fell a nose short and there’s no question in my mind if this race is
run on the wider Mellon Turf Course he gets up in time.
Winning trainer Graham Motion said teaching T. D. Vance to settle was the
key. Plus, having a target to run at helped. “I think it was really key that
(Todd Kabel) knew the horse because the biggest thing is getting this horse to
settle,” Motion said after the race. “I thought he would be fine as long as he
relaxed. Last time in Canada, Todd got him to the lead a little earlier than
usual and he got a little ‘gawky.’ He did a great job today. The horse is very
talented. Every race has been a progression to this race to get him to settle.
He showed a lot of ability.”
Chantal does it again! On her only mount of the day, Chantal Sutherland
guided WORLD SERIES (A. P. Indy) to a sharp front-end score in the third race
of the day. Despite the colt showing no gate speed in his career debut, she gunned him
to the front and was under pressure every step of the way while down on the
rail.
Bredwinner (Belong to Me), the 3-5 favorite, loomed boldly for the entire
nine furlongs and actually took the lead with a furlong to go. But, Chantal had
saved something for deep stretch and she got into World Series and pulled
away to a length victory. The betting public is starting to catch on and her
winner only paid $14.80, the lowest mutuel payoff of her five winners of the
meet. It was the fifth winner from 11 starters for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.
Jerry Bailey was hurt in the post parade of the 4TH race. First-time starter
Performing Diva (Storm Cat) lived up to her name when she acted up in the post
parade. Storm Cat’s offspring are some of the highest-strung horses on the
grounds and this filly suddenly threw her head back and hit Bailey in the face.
“The filly threw her head back and caught me,” Bailey said. “I don’t know if
my nose is broken or not, but it is pretty sore and swollen. I took several
stitches (on the bridge of the nose and cheek); fortunately, Dr. (Richard)
Alfred was in the paddock and he was right there to tend to me. I’ll go down to
Albany tomorrow for X-rays and seen what happens.”
Performing Diva ran off and was scratched from the wagering after being caught
by the outrider. It is still unclear if Bailey is going to miss any action on
the track.
Nine different riders won the nine races today for nine different trainers.
Todd Pletcher had a winner in race seven with SHANIKO (A. P. Indy) ridden by
Johnny Velazquez. It was Pletcher’s second winner of week two and he now leads
the trainer standings with 13. Still a record pace but more back to earth.
Nobody hit the Pick 6 today and the carryover into Wednesday’s card is $53,371.
With the track dark tomorrow you have an extra day to get ready.
Horses To Watch
3RD – PREACH BY DAY (Deputy Minister) was bumped at the start and tried to
rally wide behind a leader who went gate to wire.
8TH – CROWN POINT (Honor Grades) gave it the old inside/outside trip and
rallied strong after finding running room in the deep stretch.
Wednesday Preview
CALCULATOR (Polish Numbers) ran well going seven furlongs in fast time in his
last start at Belmont Park. He makes his turf debut here and should be able to
handle a mile on the inner turf. In the 9TH race, THE QUEEN’S STAMP (Prized) ran
well in her turf debut and then came back and ran well despite being bumped
around turning for home. Give her another chance.